Review of G20 police tactics must be wide ranging - Dee Doocey (Ilford North Liberal Democrats)

Ilford North Liberal Democrats <dominic247@btinternet.com>

Review of G20 police tactics must be wide ranging - Dee Doocey

April 15, 2009 12:00 AM
Originally published by London Assembly Liberal Democrats

Dee Doocey, the Liberal Democrat London Assembly Policing Spokesperson and Member of the Metropolitan Police Authority, commenting on the announcement that the Met Police Commissioner Sir Paul Stephenson has asked Her Majesty's Chief Inspector of Constabulary to review policing tactics during the G20 demonstrations said:

"I very much welcome this review, but it is vital that it is both comprehensive and actually leads to an overhaul of policy. It is also important that the review starts from a full recognition of what really took place. The Mayor's claim that the disruption was minimal and that thousands were able to peacefully protest is frankly ludicrous.

"The police had a massive task in policing the G20 demonstrations, but that is no excuse for the serious errors in the strategy and tactics adopted by the police. The use of 'kettling', baton charges and dogs were provocative and totally inappropriate tactics to use against peaceful protestors.

"The review needs to fully examine what went wrong and ensure lessons are learnt for the future, especially for the 2012 Olympics.

"Above all the review should start from the basic premise that demonstrations and peaceful protest are a fundamental democratic right. Defining the boundaries of democratic rights falls completely outside the role of the police and should never be permitted."